JERUSALEM, Wednesday, March 8, 2023 (WAFA) – The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, today said he was appalled by the violence and Israeli settler attacks against the Palestinian civilian population in the occupied territories, stressing that Israel must ensure the civilian population safety.

“I am deeply disturbed by the continuing violence and appalled by the attacks of Israeli settlers against Palestinians two days ago in Hawara, near Nablus. Israel, as the occupying power, must ensure that the civilian population is protected, and perpetrators are held to account,” said the UN Coordinator in a statement.

“I condemn settler violence against Palestinians,” he said, stressing, “All civilians must be protected from violence.”

Wennesland said he was also “alarmed by the events” in Jenin yesterday during which six Palestinians were killed and more than 20 injured in an Israeli army assault on the northern West Bank city and its refugee camp.

“We are in the midst of a cycle of violence that must be stopped immediately,” he said.

“The Security Council has spoken with one voice, calling on the parties to observe calm and restraint, and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric. Commitments were made in Aqaba in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that should be implemented if we are to find a way forward,” said the Special Coordinator.

“The parties must refrain from further steps that would lead us to more violence.”

M.K.